The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-24
The War Department Sees Nothing in the
Present Situation to Warrant the Sending
of Government Troops to the Scene.
Early Next Month the Official Guillotine
Will Be Set at Work at Washington.
Mrs. Hendricks Will Not Edit and Publish
Her Late Husbands Correspondence, for
the Reasons the Letters We're Burned.
THE UTE TROUBLES.

Federal Troops VIII Not Be Used Unless It Is
Absolutely Necessary
I WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-The following tele-
gram has been received at the War Department
from Maj. Randlett, commanding Ft. Duehesne.
Utah, dated Aug 10, through Gen. Terry:
''Colorow has his followers with him, about
$50 in all, including men, women and children.
There indications of his being rein
forced. All the Indians at Uintah and Ouray
want peace. 1 believe Coiorow would come to
the reservation if he could get there without be-
ing attacked. Most OF the party who went out
with Mr.. Andrews have returned to the agency.
frightened back. They claim that Colorow's
camp could not be found Great anxiety is mani
have harmed her anticipate that 1t will end in
serious trouble l say to the Indians that l.
hope she is with Colorow, or may be is prisoner
at Glenwood Springs. 1 wish the latter could
be ascertained."
This is the first time that the name of Chepta
has been mentioned in any of the reports from
the scene of the reported Indian troubles.
Although nothing is known of her here. it is
presumed at the War Department that she is
either a relative of Colorow or the daughter of
some prominent Ute chief.
The acting Secretary Of War is in receipt OF
comm unication from acting Secretary Null
drow stating that telegram has been received
at the Interior Department. from Senator Teller,
of Denver, to the effect that if the Indians in
Colorado not returned to the reservation
there will be trouble Secretary Muldrow says:
"The Indians under Colorow have been stav-
ing in Colorado. on the western border near lue
Uncom paehre reservation. in Utah. greatly to
the dissatisfaction of settlers in that locality
who have frequently complained. It appears
from press reports that they resisting by
force the civil process of the State authorities
and are creating considerable alarm bv
their conduct This department. has
made several efforts to induce them to remain
npon the reservation in Utah Under the laws
the Indians are encouraged to sever their tribal
relations and are entitled to seek homes and Sc
lections of lands on the public domain The de-
partment has Information that the presence
OF these Indians in Colorado is for that purpose.
On the other hand, reports heretofore made
out the claim of these Indians that they were
on their resery alton. which seems not TO be the
fact 1t is very desirable that these Indians
should remain on the reservation, where they
can have the care and supervision of the agent
authorized by law to look after them. AS the
aid of the military seems to have been invoked
to prevent the threatened outbreak and to pre-
preserve the peace, / have the honor of recon-
mending that while the force of troops Is in the
locality. all proper means may be used by it to
induce the Indians to 60 to and remain upon
their reservation"
A copy of this communication has been for
warded to General Terry by General Macfeely.
acting Secretary Of War, with instructions to
give it the utmost consideration. especially the
last paragraph
The meagre information contained in the dis
patches from Fort Duchesne is all of an official
nature that the military authorities have to
guide them The reports Of an engagement be-
tween Colorow and the sheriffs posse do not, in
the opinion of the War Department officials,
warrant the use Of troops to suppress the sup.
posed outbreak. AS soon the Indians are at-
tackled by troops they will not only defend
themselves, but will at once attack settlem ents
and settlers, and in order to avoid Indian
war, the assistance of troops will be withheld
until it is necessary for the protection Of citizens,
and every effort will be made to induce the In
dams to return quietly to their reservation.
From the character of the information received.
the military authorities inclined to the belief
that the State authorities did not exercise the
best judgment and were too precipitate in their
attempt to serve a civil process on the indicted
Indians. It is to be hoped, however, that all
troubles may be suppressed without bloodshed.
Denver telegram reports that a courier who
arrived at Glenwood Springs yesterday brings
the latest news from Meeker, in which 1t is
stated that Sheriff Kendall had gone out, accom-
panied by seventy five well armed and equipped
frontlersmen, for the purpose of locating and en-
gaging the Indians, who supposed to be
camped about twenty-five miles from Meeker.
The number of the Indiaus is estimated at from
125 to 200. They said to be in the high
timber land in almost impresnable position,
where they will be able to resist quite an army.
courier just arrived at Glenwood Springs
brings a message from General Reardon, who
is in command of the troops en-
route to Meeker. General Reardon's message ia
dated at Morgan's ranch on the divide, about
thirty miles out from Meeker, and shows that he
has made half the journey in safety. His scouts
report that about nine miles distant from Nor
gans ranch they struck a fresh Ute trail which
showed that three Indians had crossed ahead OF
them on the road. Reardon will hold his COM
mand at this ranch until he hears from Kendall,
he thinks that if he sas had engagements
with the Indians he will drive them towards
Morgan's ranch. Adjutant general West has
left Glenwood Springs for Meeker and Col T..
B. Brooks is now commanding at that place.
The people of Meeker feel confident that's Ute
war will surely take place.
A telegram from Omaha, Neb. saws General
Crook received dispatch yesterday from Maj.
Randlett in command of Fort Duchesne, u. IT,,
in which he gives account of unsuccessful
attempt to find Colorow aud negotiate with him.
The dispatch stated that Indian Agent Brynes.
in charge of the White river Utes at Uintah
with Elney, Colorow's son, to point
Meeker, where Coiorow supposed to be
camped On arriving there they found the
camp had been burned and domestic utensils
were scattered about il the place had been
evacuated in great haste. Young Colorow said
he was confident the camp had been attacked
and burned by cowboys. II WAS also reported
that Chepita, the widow of Chief Ouray, had
been made away WITH she WAS among the
missing squaws. The Utes at this agency so
tho dispatch says have knowledge of any
outbreak, and understand that the Colorado
auth tiles are after Colorow for violating the
game lave. General Crook said he had received
no direct information that there had been
outbreak aud is strongly inclined to the belief
that there is nothing In it.